2016 has been a year of exciting changes and overall evolution for WWE fans. We have witnessed the birth of a new era and we have seen some of the top free agents in the world signed to a WWE contract.
Bridges have burned, alliances were formed and new champions were crowned. Needless to say, the company is in an entirely different world than what many of us may have expected one year ago.
I'll be honest, I never imagined I'd see the day when AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura all held a major WWE Title at the same time. That alone is a fact worth celebrating.
With Survivor Series at our door, this exciting year of change is quickly coming to a close. With that said, one can only imagine what the powers that be have in store for us in 2017.
Will the same top talent continue to set the pace, or will another fresh face emerge and take hold of those ever elusive brass rings? Anyone's guess is as good as the next, but no matter what happens, it's a pretty safe assumption that 2017 will deliver plenty of surprises of its own.
Speaking of who will take the lead in the new year, I've taken a close look at all three rosters, Raw, Smackdown and NXT. Each of those rosters is stocked full of championship worthy talent, more than capable of leading the company throughout 2017.
But who will it be?
Well, I've narrowed those possibilities down to 10 possible superstars who could in fact, own the year. Take a look at the possibilities that I mention and let me know which ones you agree, or maybe disagree with.
Maybe there's someone I haven't mentioned, that you feel have a better shot at rising to the top?
Here's a look at my list of 10 Superstars who could own 2017.
#10 Braun Strowman
It's hard to believe that Braun Strowman has only been wrestling for less than two years. It was December 2014 when the big mountain of a man got his professional wrestling career underway. Since that time, Strowman has been placed under the direction of Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family, where he thrived as the powerhouse of the faction.
Braun used his time in the Family wisely to improve and hone his skills, developing himself into one of the top big guys in all of professional wrestling today.
Strowman has a huge opportunity ahead of him this Sunday as a member of Team Raw at Survivor Series. If he dominates, like many believe he probably will, I look for a huge push to come his way in the very near future.
Strowman could very easily be the one ordained to take the United States title away from Roman Reigns, which would be a monumental but highly rewarding ordeal for the monster athlete.
#9 Samoa Joe
I wouldn't be one bit surprised if some of the TNA alumni makes a strong surge in 2017. With talents like Joe, Aries, Young and Roode, all coming in with top-tier TNA resumes, any of these guys are capable of emerging atop one of the main rosters, sooner than later.
Speaking of those TNA guys, Samoa Joe is far and away the most accomplished of the group. Since arriving in NXT, Joe has dug deep and went back to his roots of being a relentless submission and technical wizard.
Not to mention Joe has improved leaps and bounds on his mic work. Samoa Joe has the experience and the in-ring ability to make huge waves in 2017.
#8 Bobby Roode
Speaking of TNA alumni with championship potential, there's one guy who could be a "glorious" champion.
Bobby was welcomed by the NXT faithful with a pop worthy of royalty at Takeover Brooklyn II. Since then, Roode stock has continued to rise. Roode is someone with a plethora of high-level experience and it's only a matter of time before he has to make the jump to one of the main rosters.
To be honest, the main rosters are the only places with talent worthy of competing with someone as experienced and accomplished as Bobby Roode.
If he's move is made soon, I don't think it'll take very long for everyone to see his true potential with the company. A spot in the Royal Rumble would be great way to introduce Roode to the WWE Universe.
#7 Bray Wyatt
No one in my lifetime has ever gone through such a drastic repackaging as successful as Wyatt did, following the disastrous Husky Harris run. It is my personal opinion that there is no persona as creatively intriguing as Bray Wyatt.
What he has done with this gimmick is nothing short of magic.
Along with revamping his character, Bray also stepped up his ring work as well. The guy is very exciting to watch work and the Sister Abigail finisher is undoubtedly one of the most effective in wrestling. Bray is a proven leader and is very much capable, as well as worthy, of a title run.
Bray is different and sometimes different is a good thing, which can bring about an exciting change of pace, igniting the fanbase to help the product to new levels of success.
#6 John Cena
Stop that! I can see your eyes rolling from here. But seriously, John Cena might not be your first choice to be "the guy" in 2017, but he is a safe alternative, in the event the company finds themselves in a creative quandary.
Let us not forget about the magical number 16 looming over his head as well. I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a huge Cena fan, BUT I do respect and appreciate what he's accomplished and I also believe he's deserving of capturing that 16th title victory.
#5 Seth Rollins
Let us not forget that Rollins last title reign left a lot to be desired. When he cashed in the briefcase and won the title at Wrestlemania, it was an exciting moment. However, the reign itself was not so impressive. That had a lot to do with the heel run at the time and his alliance with The Authority.
Being behind the coattails of Trips and Steph really watered down his championship tenure, in my opinion.
The good thing for Seth, is that he's doing very well as a babyface at the moment. Having Rollins at the top, as a face, that just might be the right recipe for greater success for the Architect.
#4 Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura is another one that I never saw coming. With the amount of success he was enjoying in Japan, I always thought he would finish his career at home. However, since arriving in the States, Shinsuke Nakamura has been incredible. Not only has he adapted to the "WWE way" with ease, but he's gotten even better as an all around performer.
As NXT Champion, Nakamura has continued to showcase how great the yellow brand truly is and has even helped some of the other lesser known talent get some much-needed attention as well.
Nakamura is someone who doesn't need any polishing, nor any development. All he needs is an opportunity and I have a strong feeling that once NXT develops one or two more rookies, Shinsuke Nakamura is headed for tremendous success, on the main roster.
#3 Kevin Owens
Sometimes I still have to remind myself that this is reality, that Kevin Owens is with the WWE and not only that, he holds a place atop the Raw roster, accompanied by one of the top titles in the company.
Owens has been a workhorse since signing with the WWE, which comes as no surprise. This is a guy who has always had to prove himself, due to his unorthodox size and style. However, that doesn't bother the current WWE Universal Champion. I think the guy enjoys proving naysayers wrong.
His current run with Jericho has been really entertaining and with Bálor returning soon, he's in for some exciting days ahead I'm certain.
#2 AJ Styles
AJ Styles conquered the entire world before getting his break in the WWE and now that he's here, he's hell-bent on showing the entire world that he is indeed the "face that runs the place," as well as all those other clever one-liners.
As the top heel in the company, Styles is thriving and has successfully helped lead Smackdown into what many fans feel to be the current top spot, when it comes to the Raw vs. Smackdown battle. Once Styles reverts back to a babyface, his stock will only rise.
Since the brand-split and since becoming World Champion, AJ has been on fire, despite being split from his Club brothers, Anderson and Gallows. Survivor Series will be a big platform in which some of the near future will be determined, by the results of the pay-per-view.
If there is only one champion in the WWE that I would feel most confident in loading the company on their back, it would definitely be The Phenomenal AJ Styles.
#1 Finn Bálor
Had it not been for the labrum tear at SummerSlam, there's a really good chance that Finn Bálor would be in the driver’s seat right now, still the Universal Champion. Nonetheless, accidents happen and I'm sure that Finn is eager to return, chomping at the bit to reclaim his title which is currently held by his nemesis, Kevin Owens.
Bálor could be returning very soon, which will be a welcome sight for fans worldwide. With a feud against Owens pretty much imminent, that will likely be the rivalry that will tell the story of what the new year may very well hold.
Bálor is a superior athlete, with more skill in his arsenal than most of any roster. Finn Bálor is not only worthy of leading the charge into 2017, but he's the smart choice as well. A choice with little to no risk involved.
